MLEP TREELINE. Governor Tim Pawlenty Recognizes Minnesota Certified Master Loggers. The Newsletter of the Minnesota Logger Education Program

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1 MLEP TREELINE Volume 5, Issue 1 Summer 2007 The Newsletter of the Minnesota Logger Education Program Governor Tim Pawlenty Recognizes Minnesota Certified Master Loggers Did You Know That. A cord of wood, depending upon species and dryness, generally weighs between 2 to 3 tons. A ton of green wood is comprised of approximately a l/2 ton of wood and 1/2 ton of water. On January 31, 2007, Governor Tim Pawlenty recognized 25 logging businesses who have earned the distinction Minnesota Certified Master Loggers. Loggers who become certified are able to provide certified wood to the market place. This means loggers and mills in Minnesota will be in a strong position to provide certified wood from family forestlands to customers that demand it. Individual Highlights: Master Logger Recognition 1 Executive Director s Column 2 Executive Director s Column 2 Logger Conferences 3 Drug & Alcohol Testing 3 MN State Timber Sale Law 3 SFI Logger of The Year Annual Report Summary 5 Minnesota is a leader in the United States with its third-party certifications of state, county and industrial forests. However, efforts to certify family forests have been less successful. The relatively large number of those landowners and the associated turnover rate of family forest lands, combined with their low level of interest in certification, make them a complicated target for certification efforts. More than 50% of the timber harvested annually in Minnesota comes from family forestland. This presents a significant challenge to the forest products industry as demand for certified content and products continues to increase. Minnesota Master Logger Certification (MMLC) is a means to certify timber from private forest landowners who are not likely to otherwise certify their forests, stated Dave Chura, MMLC s Program Administrator. This certification provides customers and the general public assurances that the person or company performing the job has the education, training, and experience to do the job correctly and that appropriate practices are being implemented. Overall, Minnesota Master Logger Certification helps raise the bar of logging in terms of safety and the on-the-ground application of best management practices. (Governor Recognition Continued On Page 2) New MLEP Leadership 6

2 MLEP Treeline Page 2 Executive Director s Column David Chura In the MLEP office, things have been a constant flurry of activity. It used to be that things would begin to slow down following the spring training workshops. As recently as 2003, MLEP offered only 10 workshops a year and all 10 of those workshops were the same. Contrast that with our training activity for This year, loggers can choose from more than 15 different workshops offered in more than 30 locations. It may be more time consuming, but I think we have a better program as a result. Last fall, MLEP conducted nine focus groups with loggers in an effort to get a better idea of the training needs and desires of our members. As a result, we have developed a number of new programs. I want to make sure that we are offering training that meets the needs of loggers as well as the scrutiny of policy makers, certification programs and the public. If you have an idea for improving our training or a new workshop topic, please contact me. I welcome and appreciate your input. MLEP s Minnesota Master Logger Certification program has been growing as well. In late January, Governor Tim Pawlenty recognized 25 logging businesses as Minnesota Certified Master Loggers during a special ceremony at his office in the state capitol. The Governor s participation in this important event was greatly appreciated by everyone involved and is further evidence of the important role loggers can play in meeting the expectations of customers who demand certified products. Do you receive the DNR s MarketPlace Bulletin? If not, I encourage you to subscribe to this free subscription. The MarketPlace Bulletin is published quarterly by the Minnesota DNR s Wood Product Utilization and Marketing staff and they do a great job. It contains relevant information on the forest industry and forest resources - including market conditions, forecasts and auction dates. You can view the publication online by going to the DNR s Utilization and Marketing website at: At the website, you will also find a wealth of other resources. To request a subscription by phone, call (651) Whether you are in the working in the woods, fishing, on the golf course or spending time with family and friends this summer have fun and stay safe. Gov. Pawlenty Recognizes Minnesota Certified Master Loggers (Continued From Page 1) The MMLC program promotes sustainable forestry and provides an independent, third-party audit of a logging business s harvest, safety and business practices. The program is administered by the Minnesota Logger Education Program and was developed transparently by a working group which included representatives from the broad forestry community. The Minnesota Master Logger Certification program is one of only a few master logger certification programs to be recognized by Time Inc. as a source of certified sustainable wood fiber. Funding for this program has been provided in part by the AgStar Fund for Rural America, the Blandin Foundation, Ainsworth, Stora-Enso, UPM Blandin, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, and by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). More information about the Minnesota Master Logger Certification program, including a listing of Minnesota Certified Master Loggers can be found online at: or by contacting Dave Chura at or dchura@mlep.org.

3 MLEP Treeline Page 3 Logger Conferences Almost 400 loggers attended the 2007 MLEP Logger Conferences in Bemidji and Tower. This year s conferences included presentations on overall guideline implementation and opportunities for improvement; the 2007 emission regulations and corresponding changes with ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and CJ-4 engine oil; opportunities in lean manufacturing; Minnesota Master Logger Certification; Minnesota Small Business Development Center resources and assistance; invasive species and firewood restrictions and the current timber market. Drug and Alcohol Testing Conference participants visit vendors between sessions at the Bemidji Logger Conference MLEP receives weekly messages from the Department of Transportation detailing the fines that have been assessed to individual companies across all industries for violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). One of the more frequent penalties relates to the failure to participate in a drug and alcohol testing program. MLEP has addressed this requirement in numerous workshops and publications so I am always surprised when a logging company gets fined for violating this requirement. In the last five years alone, our industry (those Minnesota companies with a commodity classification of logs, poles, beams, lumber ) has paid more than $157,000 in fines related to this requirement. Times are tough enough - don t create an unnecessary expense for yourself. If you have questions about the requirement or program availability, don t hesitate to contact us. MLEP Workshops and Training Database Addresses New Law Regarding State Timber Sale Purchaser Qualification and Registration A 2006 law requires state timber sale purchasers to comply with general industry safety standards for logging, provide proof of workers compensation insurance and that a foreperson or other designated employee is current with their MLEP, FISTA or similar training approved by the commissioner, is supervising active logging operations. MLEP has been working with the DNR to eliminate redundant record keeping. MLEP provides a training record database to the DNR that contains the training record information for all MLEP members and member employees.

4 MLEP Treeline Page 4 Tom McCabe, Jr. Recognized as Logger of the Year The Minnesota Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Program Implementation Committee awarded Tom McCabe, Jr. as the 2007 Logger of the Year on May 17, 2007 during the Bemidji Logger Conference. This achievement recognizes exemplary work in timber harvest and management in Minnesota s forests. By receiving this award, McCabe Forest Products is recognized for its adherence to safe and professional operation in addition to its commitment to ethical, environmentally sensitive, and aesthetically appropriate harvesting practices. Tom has shown leadership in this state, and is a very valuable asset to the forest products industry in Minnesota, said SFI Implementation Committee Chair and Boise Forester Terry Worthman. McCabe is currently president of the MN Timber Producers Association. He is also one of twenty-five loggers in Minnesota that were recognized by Governor Pawlenty for achieving Minnesota Master Logger Certification Status in January of this year. McCabe has also served as chair for the Minnesota Logger Education Program, served on a committee that has developed biomass harvest guidelines and has conducted timber harvests in cooperation with the University of Minnesota research projects. Minnesota Logger Education Program Executive Director Dave Chura stated Tom is a conscientious logger who is dedicated to the practice of good forest management. He works closely with private landowners to ensure their forest management objectives are met. The SFI Implementation Committee represents the SFI Program that guides forest management activities of forest products companies in Minnesota. The objective of the award is to recognize performance of outstanding independent logging contractors, as well as to increase the visibility of competent professional logging contractors within the forestry community in Minnesota. McCabe was nominated for this awarded by Louisiana Pacific and the Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce. MLEP Awarded DNR Partnership of the Year Award The Minnesota DNR has awarded MLEP with its Partnership Award. This award is a recognition of your participation in continuing education and the role you play in ensuring the sustainability of the state s forests. Tom McCabe Jr. (left) receives his 2007 SFI Logger of the Year Plaque and $500 cash prize from Tim O Hara of the MN SFI Implementation Committee (right)

5 MLEP Treeline Page 5 Annual Report Summary I am pleased to report that 2006 was another busy and successful year for MLEP. The following includes some highlights from the most recent MLEP Annual Report which summarizes the program services and activities for calendar year To date, MLEP has sponsored more than 404 workshops focused on sustainable forest resource management, business management, professional operations and safety. Participation within the training and education programs exemplifies MLEP's overall support and success with a total combined attendance of 10,235; including 8,092 loggers and 2,143 public and private sector natural resource managers. MLEP s program services and success would not be possible if not for the support of our members and the dedication and commitment of our partners. We greatly appreciate their support and contribution to MLEP s success. Program Services / Activities In 2006, the Minnesota Logger Education Program continued to increase the number of workshops, variety of topics and training formats provided to logging and natural resource professionals and landowners. MLEP membership is comprised of logging business owners (large and small), wood dealers and associate members membership totaled 462 reflecting: 99 small logging business owners, 297 large logging business owners, 5 wood dealers and 61 associates. Professional Training and Continuing Education (CY 2006) 3/20 Woody Biomass Harvesting/Utilization Grand Rapids 7 3/24 Truck Weight Compliance Training Bemidji 9 3/25 Managing for White Pine Schroeder 11 3/31 Truck Weight Compliance Training Duluth 5 4/4 Stora Enso Contractor Training Duluth 17 4/11 Biwabik 2 Day Logger Conference Biwabik 151 4/18 Bemidji 2 Day Logger Conference Bemidji 185 4/20 Truck Weight Compliance Training Grand Rapids 27 4/25 Skilled Driver Workshop Bemidji 31 4/26 Hot Topics In Employment Law I Falls 2 4/26 Skilled Driver Workshop Virginia 23 4/27 Timberjack/John Deere CTL Training Grand Rapids 47 5/6 Introduction to GPS I Falls 18 5/25 Anderson Lubricant's Logging Seminar Superior 28 6/10 Intermediate GPS Cloquet 6 8/4 Introduction to GPS Grand Rapids 19 8/7 Woody Biomass Harvest/Equip. Demo Grand Marais 27 8/19 Introduction to GPS Park Rapids 3 8/22 Intermediate GPS I Falls 15 8/23 Intermediate GPS Brainerd 10 8/26 Intermediate GPS Rochester 10 9/8 Truck Weight Compliance Training EGrand Forks 2 9/20 Intro to Forest Management Guidelines SE MN 20 9/21 Protecting Site Quality Training SE MN 20 9/28 Road Building Layout & Maintenance Hackensack 31 10/12 Road Building Layout & Maintenance Zim 27 10/19 St. Louis Cty Operator Select Thinning Cotton 14 10/28 Introduction to GPS- boulder lake Boulder Lake 2 11/20 Timber Market & Fin. Strategy Options Grand Rapids 92 11/28 Training Needs Focus Group I Falls 4 11/29 Training Needs Focus Group Bemidji 29 12/6 Training Needs Focus Group Cloquet 26 Total Participants = 794 Program Activity Highlights Submitted a logger certification grant to the Duluth/Superior Area Community Foundation resulting in a $6,000 grant award. Submitted a logger certification grant to the AgStar Fund resulting in a $10,000 grant award. Submitted a forest roads workshop grant to the Minnesota Forest Stewardship Fund resulting in a $2,800 grant award. Authored a request for $100,000 grant through an LCMR grant to the University of Minnesota for certification efforts resulting in approximately $100,000 of technical assistance and program reimbursement for logger certification efforts. Actively pursued logger certification pilot project with the Sustainable Forestry Board. Testified at the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee on MLEP and member training (February 15, 2006). Presentation and participation in a variety of activities: o Million Acres Conference Presentation Duluth, February 10-11, 2006 o UofM Forestry Club Presentation St. Paul, February 24, 2006 o Wood Fiber Council Presentation St. Paul, March 14, 2006 o Meeting with David Refkin, Time Inc. April 6, 2006 o Temperate Forest Foundation s Teachers Tour Grand Rapids, July 20, 2006 o NorthStar Expo Grand Rapids, September 15-16, 2006 o Commentary on Logger Certification January 6, 2006 o MLEP Treeline Newsletters o North Star Expo Murphy McGinnis newspaper insert article, August 2006 o Technical release on GPS training, August 2006 Forest Resources Association s Forest Operations Review CY 2006 Budget MLEP s activities are funded by membership fees, training fees and grants. Support Membership fees $159,412 Grants $63,245 Training / Program fees $159,412 Expenses Management and General $30,857 Program Services $194,086

6 Upcoming Training Events 301 West First St. Suite 510 Duluth, MN (218) Phone (218) Fax Dave Chura Executive Director Chris DeRosier Executive Assistant Setting the Standard in Logging Professionalism May October 24- Timber Sale Design, Grand Rapids 2- Timber Cruising, SE MN 2- LogSafe, I Falls June 3- LogSafe, Bemidji 12- Federal Tax Issues for Loggers, Bemidji 4- Timber Cruising, Brainerd 13- Accessing Aerial Photos, Cloquet 4- LogSafe, Cloquet 14- Federal Tax Issues for Loggers, Duluth 9- Truck Weight Compliance, Bemidji 10- Skilled Driver, Grand Rapids September 18- Silviculture (Even-Age), Palisade 19- Silviculture (Unveven-Age), Palisade New MLEP Leadership Don Wagner, President Charlie Blinn Tom Murn Wagner Forest Products U of M Extension Potlatch Corporation Ron Beckman Jr., Vice President Rod Enberg Bob Tomlinson Ron Beckman Timber Harvesting Enberg Logging DNR Division of Forestry We re on the Web! Visit us at: Kit Hasbargen, Secretary Seth Johnson Bruce ZumBahlen Hasbargen Logging, Inc. Johnson Logging, Inc. MN Forestry Association Bill Fleischman, Treasurer Izaak Walton League Chad Bartel B & B Logging, LLP Kelly Kimball Kimball Logging, Inc. Tom McCabe Jr. McCabe Forest Products Minnesota Logger Education Program 301 West First Street, Suite 510 Duluth, MN NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE P A I D PERMIT NO. 721 DULUTH, MN